Data collection module and system

ABSTRACT

A data collection module including an illumination assembly and an imaging assembly, a processor configured to operate the illumination and imaging assemblies, at least one network interface configured to communicate with a terminal module, at least one power supply and a terminal module interface configured to communicate with a terminal module when the data collection module is mated with the terminal module.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to portable data terminals and moreparticularly, to a highly portable, multi-interface and hands-free dataterminal having a data collection module.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Portable data terminals such as optical and laser indicia readers,barcode scanners, and other mobile computers, for example, typicallyread data represented by printed indicia such as symbols, symbology, andbar codes, for example. One type of symbol is an array of rectangularbars and spaces that are arranged in a specific way to representelements of data in machine readable form. Optical indicia readingdevices typically transmit light onto a symbol and receive lightscattered and/or reflected back from a bar code symbol or indicia. Thereceived light is interpreted by an image processor to extract the datarepresented by the symbol. Laser indicia reading devices typicallyutilize transmitted laser light. One-dimensional (1D) optical bar codereaders are characterized by reading data that is encoded along a singleaxis, in the widths of bars and spaces, so that such symbols can be readfrom a single scan along that axis, provided that the symbol is imagedwith sufficiently high resolution.

In order to allow the encoding of larger amounts of data in a single barcode symbol, a number of 1D stacked bar code symbologies have beendeveloped which partition encoded data into multiple rows, eachincluding a respective 1D bar code pattern, all or most all of whichmust be scanned and decoded, then linked together to form a completemessage. Scanning still requires relatively higher resolution in onedimension only, but multiple linear scans are needed to read the wholesymbol.

A class of bar code symbologies known as two dimensional (2D) matrixsymbologies have been developed which offer orientation-free scanningand greater data densities and capacities than 1D symbologies. 2D matrixcodes encode data as dark or light data elements within a regularpolygonal matrix, accompanied by graphical finder, orientation andreference structures.

Many other classes of bar code symbologies and/or indicia have beenknown and are in widespread use including, for example, PDF417,MicroPDF417, MaxiCode, Data Matrix, QR Code, Aztec, Aztec Mesas, Code49, EAN-UCC Composite, Snowflake, Dataglyphs, Code 39, Code 128,Codabar, UPC, EAN, Interleaved 2 of 5, Reduced Space Symbology, Code 93,Codablock F, and BC412, Postnet, Planet Code, British Post, CanadianPost, Japanese Post, OCR-A, OCR-B, Code 11, UPC, EAN, MSI, and Code 16K.Further, indicia may be represented by printed indicia, symbol indicia,biogenic/biometric indicia or any information extracted from a capturedimage.

Conventionally, a reader, whether portable or otherwise, includes acentral processor which directly controls the operations of the variouselectrical components housed within the bar code reader. For example,the central processor controls detection of keypad entries, displayfeatures, wireless network communication functions, trigger detection,and bar code read and decode functionality. More specifically, thecentral processor typically communicates with an illumination assemblyconfigured to illuminate a target, such as a bar code, and an imagingassembly configured to receive an image of the target and generate anelectric output signal indicative of the data optically encoded therein.

In one exemplary and typical application, portable data terminals areused in warehousing and delivery environments to scan packages beingloaded on a delivery vehicle and upon delivery to scan packages at theirdestination as well as receive a recipient's signature, lookupaddresses, enter delivery codes, among other functions largely unique tothe delivery portion of the operation. Upon loading the deliveryvehicle, it is advantageous that a user/driver/delivery person be ableto both scan packages rapidly and have full use of both hands in orderto move packages around and on to a delivery vehicle as quickly aspossible. Accordingly, hands-free portable data terminals have beendesigned and are commercially available such as the RS309 WearableScanner, RS409 Wearable Ring Scanner, RS507 Hands-Free Corded/CordlessImager, and WT2000 Wearable Terminal by Motorola®, 9M Cordless RingScanner by Socket®, ZRS-1D Ring Scanner by Zypad, and 8650 SeriesBluetooth™ Ring Scanner by LXE®. Similar designs are disclosed by U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,610,386, 6,811,088, D554,641, 6,853,293, and 6,853,293, eachof which is incorporated herein by reference. However, these devices allrequire corded or wireless connection to a terminal or data recordingdevice typically worn on the wrist/arm but generally located somewhereon the person. These devices provide an appropriate interface for theloading operation in the example above but do not provide an idealinterface in terms of screen size and keyboard usability/access requiredfor the delivery portion of the operation. For example, to use thedevices identified above to obtain a signature and also scan thedelivered package requires that (1) the recipient sign the terminallocated on the user's person (2) the user remove the terminal from hisperson for the recipient to sign and/or (3) the user constantly wear thescanner module or put it on upon delivery of a package and take it offafter the package is scanned. None of these scenarios are ideal and,further, if the scanner module is being removed, particularly in thecase of a cordless device, it is likely that the scanner module willbecome separated from the terminal. Alternatively, if the scanner moduleis constantly worn, it is difficult and cumbersome for the user tointeract with the terminal including the keypad to, for example, look upaddresses or enter delivery codes.

Accordingly, there is a need for a multi-interface portable dataterminal system that includes a multiple unit hands-free interface aswell as an integrated unit, highly accessible and user-friendlyinterface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is disclosed with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view and a side perspective view of two prior art PDTs.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of an exemplary PDT according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of an exemplary data collectionmodule according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a PDT and data collection moduleaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a ring-mounted data collection moduleaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a hand-mounted data collectionmodule according to the present invention.

It will be appreciated that for purposes of clarity and where deemedappropriate, reference numerals have been repeated in the figures toindicate corresponding features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, two exemplary PDTs 100 forreading/scanning printed indicia are shown. Although the presentinvention is described with respect to a PDT, the invention can beutilized in any bar code scanner, mobile device, mobile computer, orpersonal data assistant, for example. The PDT housing can be shaped soas to fit into a human hand using a handle portion 104 and can include auser interface device such as a finger actuatable scan/capture ortrigger button 101 as well as a keypad 102 for inputting data andcommands, power button, and antenna for facilitating communication witha local or remote host processor, for example. The PDT also includes adisplay 106, such as an LCD or OLED display, for example, for displayinginformation to the user. If the display 103 is a touch screen, a stylus(not shown) may also be included to facilitate interaction with thetouch screen. An aperture in the housing is included such thatillumination and imaging optics have substantially unobstructed accessto a target. The PDT can also include a power port for receiving a powersupply as well as one or more communication ports for facilitating wiredor wireless communication with a network interface. Although the PDTsshown in FIG. 1 provide a suitable interface for user interaction withthe keyboard and/or display, these devices do not provide an adequateinterface for hands-free scanning as is required in many scan-intensivePDT applications in which the user is interacting with the deviceprimarily or solely for the purpose of reading printed indicia.

Accordingly, referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a block schematicdiagram of the basic structures that together comprise a PDT 202according to the present invention. The PDT 202 includes a terminalmodule 200 and a data collection module 210 further described below withrespect to FIGS. 3-6. The terminal module 200 includes one or moreprogrammable control means such as a processor 216 and/or amicroprocessor such as a VLSI integrated circuit microprocessor. Theprocessor 216 controls the operation of the terminal module 200 and,optionally, one or more system components of the data collection module210, in accordance with operating system 223 and application 227 programinstructions stored in a data storage means 222 such as a local,network-accessible, removable and/or non-removable memory, such as RAM,ROM, and/or flash, for example. Exemplary application 227 programinstructions are an analog to digital converter, a 1D decoder, and a 2Ddecoder that, when implemented by the processor 216, operate to decodeany bar code contained in an image as is known in the art. The processor216 communicates using a system bus 238 to various system componentssuch as a display interface 232 configured to communicate with a displaysuch as an LCD or an OLED display, a user input interface 230 configuredto communicate with a keyboard, keypad, touch screen and/or scan/triggerbutton, for example, and a network interface 234 such as an RS-232,RS-485, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, IrDA or Zigbee interfaceconfigured to communicate with a remote computer 236 and/or the datacollection module 210. The terminal module 200 further includes a powersupply 228, such as a 12V supply, battery and/or

rechargeable battery, for example, which supplies current to theterminal module 200 and, in one embodiment, the data collection module210 when the data collection module 210 is mated with the terminalmodule 200 as discussed further below. The terminal module 200 furtherincludes a data collection module interface 212 configured tocommunicate with the data collection module 210 when the data collectionmodule 210 is received by the terminal module 200.

The PDT 202 further includes a data collection module 210 as moreclearly described with reference to FIG. 3 as including a processor 244such as a microcontroller, ASIC, or VLSI processor for example, whichcontrols the operation of the data collection module 210 by implementingprogram instructions retrieved from the data storage means 222 or,optionally, from data storage means 250 disposed on the data collectionmodule 210. The data collection module 210 further includes an imagingassembly including imaging optics such as an imaging lens 245 and animage sensor 242 such as a 2D image sensor such as a CCD, CMOS, NMOS,PMOS, CID, of CMD solid state image sensor, for example. The datacollection module 210 also includes an illumination assembly includingillumination optics 258 such as a lens plate and at least one lightsource 243 such as one or more LEDs configured to emit light in thenear-infrared range and/or the visible range, green LED(s), and/or alaser diode, as well as an optional aimer assembly 256. Accordingly, thelight source 243 directs light through illumination optics 258 in thedirection of a target, such as a bar code, for example. The emittedlight is then reflected by the target through the imaging lens 245 ontothe image sensor 242 such as a 2D image sensor configured to receive animage of the target and generate an electric output signal indicative ofthe data optically encoded therein. Output signal(s) transmitted by theimage sensor 242 are then sent using a bus 241, for example, to aterminal module interface 240 and/or a network interface 246 or toanother system component such as data storage means 250. The networkinterface 246 can be a an RS-232, RS-485, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi,Bluetooth™, IrDA or Zigbee interface, for example. The data collectionmodule further includes a power supply 260, preferably including atleast one rechargeable battery and an optional display interface 248configured to communicate barcode decode success to the user such as byindicator light or audible sound, for example. In another embodiment, nodisplay interface is provided in the data collection module and/or theterminal module 200 is configured to indicate read/decode success. Anoptional user input interface (not shown) can be included to receive asignal from a scan/trigger button (not shown) should the data collectionmodule 210 not be operated in a continuous scan mode. The terminalmodule 200 and data collection module 210 structures shown in FIGS. 2and 3 are preferably supported on one or more printed circuit boards(not shown).

Although many physical configurations are possible within the scope ofthe invention, in one embodiment shown FIG. 4, the housing of theterminal module 200 is configured to mate with the data collectionmodule 210 preferably such that electrical connection between terminalmodule interface 240 and data collection module interface 212 ismaintained should the PDT 200 be flipped, rotated, dropped, or otherwisehandled in the regular course of operation. Accordingly, the connectioncan include sliding contacts or other electrical connections and alocking mechanism is optionally included to maintain interaction betweenthe data collection module 210 and the terminal module 200. The terminalmodule 200 can also include an option strap or clip configured to fixthe terminal module, while the user is scanning with the data collectionmodule 210, such as by clipping to a belt, for example.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the data collection module 210 can includemeans for attaching the data collection module 210 to one of a handstrap 280, a ring 270, and an article of clothing such as a shirt pocketor a belt, for example. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, anoptional user interface device such as a scan/trigger button (not shown)can be included such as on the side of the data collection module 210 inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 5 or on the portion of the data collectionmodule 210 adjacent the wrist or back of the hand in the embodimentshown in FIG. 6.

In one exemplary embodiment, a user operates the PDT 200 by clipping theterminal module 200 to an article of clothing and strapping the datacollection module 210 to one hand, for example. The user then interactswith the data collection module 210 so as to begin an image capture of atarget barcode (if not already begun such as by a continuous scan modeinitiated upon removal from the terminal module 200) interacting with ascan/capture button (not shown) on the data collection module 210. Theimage capture event is communicated across bus 241 to processor 244which then implements program instructions stored in data storage means250 so as to control the illumination and imaging assemblies in order tocollect and transmit pixel data representing an image of the target fromthe image sensor 242. In one embodiment, the pixel data is thencommunicated across bus 241 to data storage means 250 where it is storedas a frame buffer. The processor 244 then accesses the frame buffer and,implementing 1D and/or 2D decode instructions, for example, stored inthe data storage means 250, decodes any bar code contained in the image.In one embodiment, the processor 244 communicates the decode success (orfailure) event to the display interface 248 across bus 241 and thedisplay interface 248 communicates the decode event to the user in theform of an LED light or an audible signal for example and as discussedabove. Assuming a successful decode, the decoded barcode data is thencommunicated across bus 241 to network interface 246 where it iswirelessly sent to the network interface 234 of the terminal module 200and communicated to a remote computer 236 and/or communicated acrosssystem bus 238 to data storage means 222 for later processing, forexample. Alternatively, the decoded barcode data is maintained in thedata collection module data storage means 250 and transmitted across bus241 to terminal module interface 240 and to data collection moduleinterface 212 upon physical mating of the data collection module 210with the terminal module 200.

Upon completion of the operation, the user can then place the datacapture module 210 in the housing of the terminal module 200 where itsterminal module interface 240 is connected to a data collection moduleinterface 212 of the terminal module 200 whereby electrical connectionof the interfaces 240 and 212 is established by one or more electricalconnectors or pins. While mated with the data collection module 212, theterminal module 200 distributes power 262 from power supply 238 acrossdata collection module interface 212 to terminal module interface 240and power supply 260 in order to recharge the rechargeable batteries ofthe data collection module 210. In the mated mode of operation, theterminal module 200, including processor 216 implementing instructionsretrieved from data storage means 222, controls the operation of thedata collection module 210 and, specifically, controls the imaging andillumination assemblies, by sending control signals 252, 254 to theterminal module interface 240 through the data collection moduleinterface 212. In this embodiment, user interaction with a userinterface device such as a scan button, capture button, trigger, keypad,keyboard, or touch screen, for example, of the terminal module 200causes processor 216 to implement program instructions stored in datastorage means 222 and communicated over data collection module interface212 and terminal module interface 240 to control the imaging andillumination assemblies of the data collection module. Accordingly, theimage pixel data transmitted by the image sensor 242 can be communicatedacross bus 241 to the terminal module interface 240 where it istransferred to the data collection module interface and stored as aframe buffer in data storage means 222. Accordingly, in this embodiment,the network interface 246 is not utilized to transmit pixel data orbarcode decode data but rather, pixel data is received from the datacollection interface and the processor 216 implements programinstructions retrieved from data storage means such as applications 227in order to decode any barcode contained in the image. Further, a decodeevent can be communicated to display interface 232 of the terminalmodule 200 which can communicate the decode success (or failure) to theuser through a display of the terminal module 200. In anotherembodiment, the barcode decode sequence is initiated by user interactionwith a user interface device of the terminal module 200 but otherwiseproceeds utilizing the system components of the data collection module210. Other combinations of operating the processors 216, 244 and datastorage means 222, 241, and power supplies 228, 260 are alsocontemplated.

According to the invention, when the data collection module 210 isseparated from the terminal module 200, the user enjoys hands-freescanning operation. Further, when the data collection module 210 ismated with the terminal module 200, the user enjoys the size of andaccess to the keypad and display while still maintaining the ability toscan a barcode or other indicia as required.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it isto be understood by those skilled in the art that this description ismade only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope ofthe invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope ofthe present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown anddescribed herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinaryskill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the presentinvention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

1. A data collection module, comprising: an illumination assembly and animaging assembly; a processor configured to operate the illumination andimaging assemblies; at least one network interface configured tocommunicate with a terminal module; at least one power supply; and aterminal module interface configured to communicate with a terminalmodule when the data collection module is mated with the terminalmodule.
 2. The data collection module of claim 1 wherein the at leastone power supply includes at least one rechargeable battery and whereinthe terminal module is configured to recharge the battery bycommunicating with the data collection module to provide power over theterminal module interface when the data collection module is mated withthe terminal module.
 3. The data collection module of claim 1 whereinthe imaging assembly further includes imaging optics and an image sensorand the illumination assembly further includes illumination optics andat least one light source wherein the image sensor selected from thegroup consisting of a CCD, CMOS, NMOS, PMOS, CID, and CMD.
 4. The datacollection module of claim 1 further including at least one bus incommunication with at least the processor, network interface, andterminal module interface.
 5. The data collection module of claim 1wherein the network interface is selected from the group consisting ofRS-232, RS-485, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, IrDA and Zigbeeinterfaces.
 6. The data collection module of claim 1 further includingat least one data storage means configured to store both image pixeldata received from the imaging assembly and program instructions thatwhen implemented by the processor are configured to control theillumination and imaging assemblies.
 7. The data collection module ofclaim 1 wherein the terminal module interface is configured to receiveprogram instructions for operating the data collection module from aterminal module when the data collection module is mated with theterminal module.
 8. The data collection module of claim 1 wherein theterminal module interface is configured to communicate image pixel datato a terminal module when the data collection module is mated with theterminal module.
 9. The data collection module of claim 1 wherein theterminal module interface is configured to communicate bar code decodedata to a PDT when the data collection module is mated with the PDT. 10.The data collection module of claim 1 further including a user inputinterface configured to communicate with at least one scan/triggerbutton.
 11. The data collection module of claim 1 further includingmeans for attaching the data collection module to one of a hand strap, aring, and an article of clothing.
 12. A terminal module, comprising: ahousing having disposed therein a processor, data storage means, anetwork interface, a display interface, a user input interface, a powersupply, a system bus and a data collection module interface; and whereinthe housing is configured to receive a data collection module and theterminal module is configured to communicate with the data collectionmodule through the data collection module interface when the datacollection module is received by the housing.
 13. The terminal module ofclaim 12 wherein the terminal module is configured to communicate withthe data collection module by providing power to the data collectionmodule over the data collection module interface.
 14. The terminalmodule of claim 12 wherein the network interface is selected from thegroup consisting of RS-232, RS-485, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,IrDA and Zigbee interfaces.
 15. The terminal module of claim 12 whereinthe terminal module is further configured to communicate with the datacollection module by implementing program instructions for operating thedata collection module using one of the network interface or the datacollection module interface when the data collection module is matedwith the terminal module.
 16. A PDT, comprising: a data collectionmodule including an illumination assembly, an imaging assembly, aprocessor, at least one network interface, at least one power supply anda terminal module interface; a terminal module including a terminalhousing having disposed therein a processor, data storage means, anetwork interface, a display interface, a user input interface, at leastone power supply, a system bus and a data collection module interface;and wherein the terminal housing is configured to mate with the datacollection module and the terminal module is configured to communicatewith the data collection module through the data collection moduleinterface when the data collection module is mated with the terminalhousing.
 17. The PDT of claim 16 wherein the at least one datacollection module power supply includes at least one rechargeablebattery and wherein the terminal module is configured to recharge thebattery when the data collection module is mated with the terminalhousing.
 18. The PDT of claim 16 wherein the imaging assembly furtherincludes imaging optics and an image sensor and the illuminationassembly further includes illumination optics and at least one lightsource wherein the image sensor is selected from the group consisting ofa CCD, CMOS, NMOS, PMOS, CID, and CMD.
 19. The PDT of claim 16 whereinthe data collection module network interface and the terminal modulenetwork interface are selected from the group consisting of RS-232,RS-485, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IrDA and Zigbee interfaces. 20.The PDT of claim 16 wherein the data collection module further includesdata storage means and wherein at least one of the data collectionmodule storage means and the terminal module storage means is configuredto store program instructions that when implemented by a processor areconfigured to control the illumination and imaging assemblies.